The Times Were a Changin'

The campus climate in 1962 was one of controversy and turmoil amid debates over academic freedom, editorial independence of the student press and a recruiting scandal. Here are some highlights:

• CU loses to LSU in the Orange Bowl 25-7.
• Sonny Grandelius is fired as football coach for recruiting violations.
  Alumni director William “Bud” Davis (PE’51, EdD’63) is appointed head football coach.
• Byron R. “Whizzer” White (A&S’38, HonDocLaw’63) is appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court.
• The Colorado Daily publishes “Riding the Whale” by Carl Mitcham (Phil’67), which was highly critical of U.S. Sen. Barry Goldwater. The senator’s visit to campus spurs protests against him.
• After six years CU President Quigg Newton announces his resignation to become president of the Commonwealth Fund in New York.
• Scott Carpenter (Aero’49, HonDocSci’00) attends commencement after becoming the second American to orbit the Earth.

Four notable events of 1962

The Cuban Missile Crisis puts the world at the brink of nuclear war.

James H. Meredith, protected by federal marshals, becomes the first black student to attend the University of Mississippi.

Marilyn Monroe dies from an apparent overdose of sleeping pills.

Rachel Carson’s watershed book Silent Spring is released, chronicling pesticides’ harmful effects on the environment.